Police Chief Michael Greeley said the police and fire departments can no longer work efficiently, and the current working conditions pose safety risks.

Housed in an old school, the Deerfield Police Department works under unusual constraints. Prisoners have to be taken past regular town offices to use the restroom.

"People are in here trying pay their bills and do their business, and we are bringing prisoners through here to try and get to the restroom," Greeley said.

The chief worries that if a prisoner wants to cause a problem, people in the public could be at risk. The plan for the new building would include a restroom in the booking room, something that isn't possible in the small room police now have to process prisoners.

"When we bring a prisoner in to book them, we have them sit in this chair, which is connected to the wall by a chain," Greeley said. "If they are really a problem, we handcuff them to a ring."

With room partitions that don't go all the way to the ceiling, it's impossible to have a private conversation. Federal rules require police to keep juveniles away from arrested adults, but Greeley said in the current building, there's only one way to get privacy.

"I technically have to take them out into the parking lot and walk up and down the parking lot to talk to a person so people can't hear that conversation," he said.

Police and fire officials have been pushing for a new safety complex for years. It would be built off Route 107.

The proposal lost by 27 votes in 2004. This year, police said they hope voters see the need for the $2.4 million project.

A meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Town Hall to discuss the plans with residents.